Curry Finally Finds A Home With Hornets

January 07, 1990|By DAVE JOHNSON Staff Writer

There was no question he had the tools. But after 2 1/2 seasons in the NBA, Dell Curry's brush with greatness was accidentally elbowing Larry Bird in the eye, forcing Mr. Legend to wear goggles for a couple of games.

A year ago, a discouraged Curry was sitting the bench for the expansion Charlotte Hornets, his third team in as many pro seasons. There seemed little doubt a fourth would be in the short future.

But Curry's NBA career has been dramatically reversed. Virginia Tech's career scoring leader has become the Hornets' most consistent outside shooter and is averaging 15.9 points a game, second on the team.

Charlotte's front office, which could have dealt Curry over the summer for Seattle center Alton Lister, is glad it was patient. "Dell's much happier now," said Jack Curry, Dell's father. "So are the Charlotte Hornets."

Happiness was only a distant dream for Curry a year ago. In a 42-game span during the middle of the season, the letters "DNP- CD" appeared in the box score by Curry's name 14 times. In english, that's Did Not Play- Coach's Decision. Dreaded letters, indeed.

The new franchise revolved around rookie shooting guard Rex Chapman, the starter at Curry's position, and small forward Kelly Tripucka. If Curry got off the bench, it was only to stretch his legs or pull up his shorts.

"It's hard to get into any rhythm when you're not playing," Tripucka said. "Dell wasn't playing much because he was hurt (he started the season on injured reserve with a broken wrist). It was hard for him to get any confidence in himself."

People were talking. One unidentified Hornet official, when asked about Curry's lack of playing time, said "He's been with three teams in three years, hasn't he? There's got to be a reason for that." Curry was hurt by those words.

Coach Dick Harter hinted Curry's defense, always said to be his weakness, was that reason. That angered Curry.

"That's a bad rap," he said. "When a guy's not playing, the coach has to have a reason to tell somebody why he's not playing and he says defense. I've always thought that I may not be the best defensive player in the world, but I'm not the worst, either.

"There are certain things I do well defensively. I play the passing lanes well. I'm not the greatest in one-on-one defense, but that's why we have great team defense. ... But having that rap against me has only made me work harder."

It was no secret that Curry's days in Charlotte were numbered. It was rumored that he almost was traded straight up for Los Angeles Clipper center Greg Kite, who no one has ever called the second coming of Bill Walton.

Curry's turning point last year came on March 14 with a 21-point performance against Denver. After that, Curry's playing time increased. In the Hornets' final 20 games of the season, he averaged 17.3 points and 21 minutes a game while shooting 52 percent from the field. Included was a 31-point game, his career high, against New Jersey.

Curry's market value suddenly rose. The Hornets had opportunities to trade him for the quality big man they desperately needed, but couldn't come up with what they believed to be a good deal.

"I know anytime you have a losing season (20-62), a team is going to make changes," Curry said. "It seemed to me I was going to be the most available to get traded. But I played well at the end of the season and Charlotte hung on to me.

"That was the biggest factor as to why I'm here. If I wouldn't have gotten the chance to play as much, they would have traded me. They could have traded me this summer to a few different teams, but they didn't. My play late in the season was the key factor."

Harter: "Obviously that's the reason he's still here."

Curry has been coming off the bench most of the season, but has started the Hornets' past three games at small forward. Curry has been playing that position and point guard, as well as his usual No. 2 guard.

"Whatever the situation is in the game," the 6-foot-5 Curry said. "I played some (point) in high school, not much. I'm playing a lot of small forward, more than I've ever played before. Whatever gives me the most minutes. Obviously, some teams I'm more suited to play small forward against than others."

Despite the presence of rookie J.R. Reid and newly acquired Armon Gilliam, the Hornets remain primarily a perimeter team. Chapman is the team's leading scorer at 19.3 points a game, but is shooting just 40.4 percent from the field. Tripucka, who has been struggling with injuries and his jump shot, is shooting only 39.9 percent.

Charlotte hoped picking up Robert Reid, who played last season with the team, would help. But since returning last month, Reid has shot 35.9 percent from the floor.

Curry has been the Hornets' only consistent outside threat. Entering Saturday night's home game against Indiana, Curry was shooting 47 percent from the field, 46.3 from behind the 3-point line.